Community Engagement in Economics
Connecticut high school teachers who are certified instructors with the UConn Early College Experience (ECE) – Economics program gather (virtually) for an annual professional development workshop. The Economics Department see these instructors as colleagues and value their participation in the University mission. The partnership with the high schools is especially important for the academic discipline and for developing the Economics major and minor at UConn.
Professor Smirnova is faculty liaison for the ECE-Economics program. In this role, she oversees the course comparability, academic oversight, and professional development of the ECE instructors teaching ECON 1000, ECON 1201, ECON 1202 in their high schools.
The October workshop is an annual professional development opportunity. The goal is to share pedagogical innovations in economics to keep instructors informed and energized in delivering engaging classes to their pupils.
Working with the broader community. The aims are (1) to introduce our students to the community leaders; (2) to engage community leaders and alumni with the Economics program in Stamford; (3) to increase the impact of the university on the broader community.